"It was a big disappointment to lose the title, but Chelsea deserved a lot of congratulations because they have done exceptionally well this season. We now have 77 points from 35 games, and that's our second-best points total in the last eight years, but Chelsea have been remarkably consistent."
"I can say the difference is that, when we lost at Manchester United, in the following six games we took only six points, while Chelsea took 16. That is where we lost the championship because it took us some time to recover from that huge disappointment of losing at United, but it's very important to finish second, and that's why the game on Sunday at home to Liverpool is another vital one.
"Finishing second also means we avoid a qualifying game to reach the Champions League. Those types of matches become more and more difficult every year.
"If you finish second, then you can say you are in the Champions League for the following season, and if you finish third you cannot say that because you are in a qualifying round for the Champions League, and that's a big difference."